Chapter 10

POV Miss Scarlet

Afterdeath

Scarlet walked slowly from the hospital room a sadness filling her face. She glanced down at her wound -a small pinprick of blood welling up on her thumb. So absorbed in her morbid thoughts, she did not perceive the man standing in front of her till she bumped into his chest. He reached up and grasped her arms gently so that she could find her equilibrium again, or maybe just so he could hold her. She looked up at him after shock of everything that had happened still making her reflexes sluggish. She grinned up at Mustard.

"Fancy meeting you in a hospital," she playfully jested.

He gave her a lopsided grin but his eyes traveled to her bleeding thumb. He softly reached down with one hand -Scarlet still ensconced within his arms- and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, pressing it firmly against her cut effectively holding her hand at the same time. Erica let a laugh escape her.

"You just wanted to hold my hand, admit it."

Kenny's glance was intense and filled with emotions that Erica had as of been able to define.

"Perhaps." He whispered.

At that he leaned his head down and Scarlet's eyes fluttered closed as she lifted her own lips to meet his in the feather light kiss. They broke apart, barely, close enough to feel the heat of each other's breath against their faces.

"I missed you." Kenny gruffly spoke, careful not to pull away from the welcome warmth of her closeness.

Erica's eyes faltered with a smile.

"It's only been two weeks Colonel Mustard."

He tipped her face up with a hand to her chin forcing her smiling eyes back to his own. She recognized the love she saw there and new her own reflected the same.

"Minutes without oxygen will kill any normal man." He exclaimed.

"Yes well you aren't a normal man are you?" She whispered.

"No, I guess not, because I'm hoping the most wonderful woman in the world is in love with me."

Scarlet averted her eyes mischievously, "Perhaps."

Kenny grinned at her sweet face.

"You, young lady, drive me crazy."

She mocked a serious thoughtful look and asked, "Is that a good thing or a bad one?"

Kenny let out a low and playful growl as he ducked and laid a loving kiss on the curve of her neck.

All seriousness returning he asked, "How's Peacock?"

Erica's previous somberness returned. "They don't think she'll ever come out of it. I brought her some roses. The pretty white kind."

He nodded and pulled her against his chest allowing her ownership of her own hand again. She curled her hands in front of her and cuddled up into his arms as he ran his hand up and down her back.

"That was very sweet of you."

She nodded, "It was the least I could do." There was a long pause as they both considered life and the absence there of. "How did things go at the station. Will they need us to testify to anyone?"

"No, they have all their information. They are holding White responsible for murder of Green and the planned murder of Boddy, but I'm sure she'll only get a few years at the most and lots of community service. She did kill Plum for self-preservation in a way and was blackmailed into helping him really. That's how her lawyer is going about it anyway. Officer Barney's funeral is on the twelfth, we should go. Green's, Boddy's and his fiancée's, and Plum's funerals are on the following days consecutively."

Erica nodded again and said with vehemence, "I'll not go to Plum's or Green's funeral. I refuse." Her look and voice softened, "though I'm sure they will be lonely funerals."

Mustard shrugged, "Well they made their choices. Now, let me go and make my condolences for Peacock, and then I'll join you for lunch?"

She smiled at him and nodded not being one for too many words suddenly. "I'd love too."

He leaned down and swept another kiss across her glossy red lips.

A little old man wondered by grinning like a baboon and heaved laughs. "Heh, heh, heeeh, that's right, you take that lady. She's a right good looker!" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as they struggled to withhold bubbling laughs.

Later that afternoon, after lunch, Mustard and Scarlet took a walk through the flower filled park arm in arm, talking back and forth in soft voices as if they'd been lovers for years. Finally Mustard stopped mid-stride and turned toward Scarlet that intense look full of the emotions she still couldn't define.

"I know, Erica that we haven't known each other long, but I would like to ask you something."

Erica nodded excitement bubbling up and sparkling in her eyes. "Yes?"

"Will you..."

POV Colonel Mustard

"…Join me tonight for a lovely evening?"

Scarlet, having thought the question would be more serious, simply laughed. "Why what reason would I have not to?"

They quietly walked together, enjoying the company of each other, hoping for the moment to last forever.

"You know I thought you were going to ask me to marry you." Scarlet said as she cocked her head, stopping to look into his eyes.

He returned her gaze and simply replied, "Why do you think I asked you to join me tonight?"

Then they enjoyed a laugh that only lovers can.

A month passed and the three living victims of the night in Boddy Mansion all reunited. After Peacock's sudden coming out of her coma, they thought it would be best to all get together and perhaps become friends. After all, if it wasn't for each other they wouldn't even be here today.

"I never actually found out what happened after the spell I took." Peacock stated sitting down across from the two love birds, taking a sip from her cup of tea.

Colonel Mustard's garden was truly one from a dream. The fragrant flowers that had blossomed all about gave it a rich smell in the air. The weather was just right and the sound of the fountain added a soothing after tone to the scene. The radiant sun reflected off of Scarlet's engagement ring as she spoke.

"Well, a lot of things happened. After White had killed Green, that's when the Colonel here got the brilliant idea to call the police. I'm only going off of what he told me, I fainted and didn't wake up until I was in the back of a screeching ambulance."

Colonel Mustard joined in. "You see, I used the phone in the Lounge to call for help. It was only a few moments after that that Plum bled to death from the injury to his knee. When the police arrived they took us all in ambulances to the hospital. Once we arrived there they questioned us. After further questioning down at the station White was arrested and we were set off with no charges."

"White confessed?" Peacock asked.

"She did and our story was consistent with hers. So it worked out in our favor. Actually the trial is Monday." Colonel Mustard replied.

"And we have to attend." Scarlet solemnly added.

"I'm sure that will be another nightmare."

Once the trial and all was done with the Boddy Mansion investigation White was charged with murder and sentenced to ten years in prison plus a huge amount of community service. The jury was lenient on her case, considering all the stories aligned with the self-defense plea.

The popping question is what happened to our other "suspects"?

Eventually, Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlet had a beautiful wedding. They are now expecting their first child.

White ultimately served her time and is now not permitted to own a gun, let alone even look at one.

Peacock is living a fine life as a police officer. She hopes to prevent others having to go through what she had to.

The cursed Boddy Mansion was auctioned off to a lady in a red dress . . . the color almost scarlet.

So it seems that in the end all worked out in this dreadful case of murder, mystery, and betrayal. We know what happened to Mr. Boddy and the other victims. All is well for now, at least until another group opens up an inviting letter.